Pain relief can be achieved in a wide variety of ways. Many people take over the counter medications to relive common aches and pains that happen. Chronic pain relief can often be achieved through prescription pain medications like opioids. When none of the pain relief options are working, however, a nerve block offers a long-lasting pain relief option as well. There are a number of additional benefits that come with a nerve block, but there are some disadvantages to consider as well.
What Are the Pros of a Nerve Block?
1. It can help to diagnose a specific condition.
Sometimes pain is considered abnormal because of where it presents itself. Someone suffering from appendicitis, for example, would have a sharp pain about two-thirds of the way between their hip and belly button in a standard presentation. Some people might feel the pain in their left hip, right knee, or even in their neck instead. By installing a nerve block, it becomes possible to properly diagnose what is causing the pain.
2. It is useful for surgical procedures.
Nerve blocks are very effective at treating pain. So effective, in fact, that they are often used for outpatient procedures where certain surgeries could be painful, but a general anesthesia doesn’t seem to make sense – like removing an in-grown toenail. The nerve block is also useful for short-term pain relief from certain surgeries or other medical procedures.
3. Relief can be instantaneous.
Once the nerve block has been installed, the pain relief that is being experienced is immediate. The pain literally evaporates and a person can relax, sometimes for the first time in several years. Although the effects of the nerve block are often temporary, this treatment can help to provide real relief when other forms of medication to control pain aren’t able to get the job done for whatever reason.
4. It can help to delay or prevent a surgery.
Some forms of chronic pain wind up in surgery to correct the problem, which often creates an entirely new set of problems. A nerve block can help to buy someone some time to evaluate all of their options to treat their specific condition. Sometimes people can buy themselves enough time or have the nerve block effectively treat their condition so that a surgery that was once being strongly considered gets taken off the table.
What Are the Cons of a Nerve Block?
1. There can be some serious side effects to the procedure.
Although severe side effects are not common, they are still known to happen when a nerve block is installed. This includes paralysis, arterial damage, and low blood pressure that can all risk the long-term quality of a person’s life.
2. Accidental punctures may occur.
The nerve block is installed by injecting alcohol or other substances around the nerve that is affected by the pain. This needle for this injection may also puncture an artery, an organ, or cause internal damage in other ways that could put someone’s life at risk immediately.
3. A nerve block isn’t recommended for everyone.
Someone with a bowel obstruction or is suffering from certain bowel conditions are not recommended to receive a nerve block. When an infection is uncontrolled or if blood thinning medications are being taken regularly, this procedure is not recommended as well. Make sure to speak with your doctor about all medications you take before a nerve block, especially drugs like warfarin or aspirin.
4. Nerve blocks don’t generally treat the underlying problems.
Pain doesn’t just happen because the human body decides to rebel. Pain is the result of something not operating the way it is supposed to be operating. The nerve block can effectively treat the symptoms of this malfunction, but it won’t generally treat the actual condition. Further diagnostics and other tests are often required as part of the process so that the body can work properly again. Pain removal doesn’t mean the body is healing.
Is a Nerve Block Right For You?
A nerve block is going to completely repair a health situation, but it can provide someone with complete relief for an extended period of time. Even when the nerve block begins to wear off, it will still provide some lasting effects that lessen the amount of pain that is being experienced. With so many potential applications, a nerve block should be considered whenever simple surgeries or chronic pain needs to be managed without high-level medical care.